OMG!!! My Plecos eyes are gone!!! AHHHH!!!

[VivaLaVics]

Thanks severum mama! I've jimmy-rigged the HOB filter with a sponge and a mesh bag of 25% new bio and 75% bio from the canister on the original tank. Also have a mesh bag of substrate from the original tank in there to help with the good bacteria. Filled the tank with about 60% (little over 1/2) of water from the original tank and the rest fresh, clean, dechlored water. Added stress coat and stability (for new-tank syndrom).

My b/f did a waterchange this morning, and right after that, he ate, so we think he's on the road to recovery. He also tells me he's been swimming around a bit more. We'll see how it goes in the next few days. Worried about his swelling- he's probably in a lot of pain.

Thanks again for all the support!

 

[VivaLaVics]

Quite a journey for your poor little Daredevil, hopefully when this is all over he will be back to headbanging and tail wiggling to music. I feel bad for the poor fellow, though it seems you are taking every step you can to make him better and happy. Glad he has decided to eat and press onward. Hope everything turns out well. :thm:

Thanks. I hope he goes back to the head banging as well! He's been the most exciting pleco I have ever owned. I dont want him to lose that spunk!

 

[DrNo]

Great news Sara!

"I've jimmy-rigged the HOB filter with a sponge and a mesh bag of 25% new bio and 75% bio from the canister on the original tank. Also have a mesh bag of substrate from the original tank in there to help with the good bacteria. Filled the tank with about 60% (little over 1/2) of water from the original tank and the rest fresh, clean, dechlored water..."

Pro.

 

[leeser28]

Wow - what an ordeal. I watched his video - very adorable. It sounds like he's trying, which will make all the difference. I do remember reading that when a pleco is sick clean water (obvious reasons) and food (for strength and to have a way to heal the wounds - I could put in a long biochemical explanation, but I'm not going to bore you) are the two best things - which you obviously know - but just some more kudos for you and how well you're caring for him. He's luck to have you!

 

[VivaLaVics]

Great news Sara!

"I've jimmy-rigged the HOB filter with a sponge and a mesh bag of 25% new bio and 75% bio from the canister on the original tank. Also have a mesh bag of substrate from the original tank in there to help with the good bacteria. Filled the tank with about 60% (little over 1/2) of water from the original tank and the rest fresh, clean, dechlored water..."

Pro.

Haha. Thanks Vader... I owe my knowledge on quick hopital rigging to good people on AC. It just means I've had too many sick fish. LOL. Still learning!!!

Wow - what an ordeal. I watched his video - very adorable. It sounds like he's trying, which will make all the difference. I do remember reading that when a pleco is sick clean water (obvious reasons) and food (for strength and to have a way to heal the wounds - I could put in a long biochemical explanation, but I'm not going to bore you) are the two best things - which you obviously know - but just some more kudos for you and how well you're caring for him. He's luck to have you!

Thanks! I may be interested in a long Bichemical explanation. lol!

 

[pinkertd]

I'm rooting for this little guy!!! I'm so glad you got enough people to tell you no salt. Besides plecos being sensitive to salt......you know what salt water in the ocean feels like on a small cut? I can't even imagine what it would feel like to an open injury like his eyes.

You're doing a great job, hang in there!

 

[deeleywoman]

UPDATE: HE ATE A WHOLE ALGEA WAFFER! He has a the will to live!

Thanks Melody

WOOT!!! this fish knows his new namesake... daredevil wouldn't give up cuz a bully got the best of him.

 

[VivaLaVics]

Thanks ya'll!!! Here's a little update on how he's doing.

Daredevil Recovery Day 3 - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tjS3CeRMrRo (A 40 second vid of him swimming about this morning)

He's swimming around and eating, his top fin is out much more often, he was keeping it down - he has a hard time finding the algea waffers but he gets 'em.

Daredevil runs into the walls of the tank quite a bit... sad to see but he'll figure out the layout soon enough, still getting use to having no eyes. I removed the big trunk I had in there because he kept running into it and having to back up. I replaced it will a smaller shell because my b/f feels he would still enjoy having something to cuddle up beside to feel secure if needed... (For any of you "Dune" fans... I like to imagine he's like Mu'adib... he can see the shape of things with hs senses- even without eyes!)

He still has the pinecone effect going on- I know once a fish gets swollen to that extent its a tough recovery- so we're not in the clear. But I've researched that the bigger the fish, the better their chances. I'll be releived when I see a smooth Dardevil from top view.

He's getting 50% waterchanges daily with stress coat added for the aloe. 1 algea waffer a day as well. Takes him time to find them, and I dont want them to disolve into the water and make it murky.

Thanks for all you're support! I hope this turns out to be a GREAT success story.

 

[VivaLaVics]

I'm rooting for this little guy!!! I'm so glad you got enough people to tell you no salt. Besides plecos being sensitive to salt......you know what salt water in the ocean feels like on a small cut? I can't even imagine what it would feel like to an open injury like his eyes.

You're doing a great job, hang in there!

Thats what I was thinking with the salt... OUCH! The wounds are white notw- no longer as red as when they first occured.

 

[bettabrat]

What a fighter!! This story has really been pulling on my heart strings. I hope he pulls through this as "100%" as he can, obviously he won't be able to see again but I pray he doesn't lose that spunk. I've never really cared for plecos but I just fell in love with your little daredevil!